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Dietary iron deficiency and sports anaemia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Lindsay M. Weight ,
Peter Jacobs  and
Timothy D. Noakes
Lindsay M. Weight
Affiliation:
Department of Haematology and Leukaemia Centre, and the UCT/MRC Bioenergetics of Exercise Research Unit, University of Cape Town Medical School and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
Peter Jacobs
Affiliation:
Department of Haematology and Leukaemia Centre, and the UCT/MRC Bioenergetics of Exercise Research Unit, University of Cape Town Medical School and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
Timothy D. Noakes
Affiliation:
Department of Haematology and Leukaemia Centre, and the UCT/MRC Bioenergetics of Exercise Research Unit, University of Cape Town Medical School and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
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Abstract

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In order to determine whether dietary inadequacies can explain the sub-optimal iron status widely documented in endurance-trained athletes, the food intake records of Fe-deficient and Fe-replete distance runners and non-exercising controls of both sexes were analysed. In all the male study groups the mean dietary Fe intake met the recommended dietary allowances (RDA; > 10 mg/d (US) Food and Nutrition Board, 1989). However, both female athletes and controls failed to meet the RDA with regard to Fe (< 15 mg/d) and folate (< 200 μg/d). There was no difference in the total Fe intakes of Fe-deficient and Fe-replete athletes and the controls of each sex. However, Fe-deficient male runners, but not female runners, consumed significantly less haem-Fe (P = 0.048) than their comparative groups. This suggests that the habitual consumption of Fe-poor diets is a factor in the aetiology of athletes' Fe deficiency.

Keywords

AthletesSports anaemiaIron statusDietary ironRecommended dietary allowances
Type
Mineral Metabolism
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 68 , Issue 1 , July 1992 , pp. 253 - 260
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1992

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